Ski boot, in particular for alpine skiing

ABSTRACT

A boot for alpine skiing has a plastic shell and a rubber sole fixed to a rigid support which can be removably secured to the shell.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a ski boot, in particular for alpineskiing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ski boots are known consisting of a shell of substantially rigidplastic, provided with closure levers and internally housing a shoe ofsoft material.

The shell is generally provided with a rubber sole, of which thatsurface facing the outside is provided with a plurality of groovesenabling it to grip the ground and hence facilitating walking. At thesame time the toe and heel of the shell are shaped to enable it toengage a traditional binding on an alpine ski.

These known boots present however certain drawbacks, and in particular:

-   -   a high cost as the shell must be constructed of expensive        material, such as polyamide resins or TPU, to enable the sole to        be fixed by gluing,    -   the sole cannot be replaced when worn, without returning it to        the manufacturer or forwarding it to a specialized workshop.        An object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by        providing a boot for alpine skiing which is of lower cost than        currently available boots. Another object of the invention is to        provide a boot, the sole of which can be easily and comfortably        replaced when worn.

These and further objects which will be apparent from the ensuingdescription are attained according to the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A boot for alpine skiing has a plastic shell. A rubber sole fixed to arigid support can be removably secured to the shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail hereinafter with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective side view of a ski boot according tothe invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sole,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the ski boot in its assembled configuration,

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the rubber sole and the support element in plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen from the figures, the ski boot according to the inventioncomprises a substantially rigid shell 2 constructed by injectionmoulding a plastic material, which can be of low quality such aspolypropylene, provided with closure levers and internally accommodatinga shoe of soft material (not shown in the drawings).

The invention also comprises a combined support 4 and sole 6, consistingof two profiled facing slabs formed from a heel and a toe 10 connectedtogether by a band 12 of smaller width than their own width.

The support 4, which is substantially rigid, is constructed of highquality material, such as polyamide, TPU or the like, while the actualsole 6 is constructed of rubber and comprises a plurality of grooves 14.

The support and sole are joined together by traditional adhesives, oralternatively they can be joined together by overinjecting the rubberonto the support or the support onto the rubber.

The combined support-sole is secured to the shell by traditionalthreaded screws 20 which, after passing through holes 16 provided in thesupport and sole, engage in corresponding bosses 18 provided on thelower surface of the shell.

From the aforegoing it is clear that the ski boot according to theinvention presents numerous advantages, and in particular:

-   -   it is of lower cost than traditional sports footwear in that low        quality materials can be used to form the shell, as the sole is        fixed to the support,    -   it enables the sole to be easily replaced if damaged, by        purchasing a replacement sole from a supplier,    -   it enables the boot to be adapted for different uses, such as        downhill skiing, as the boot can be provided with a replacement        sole of normal type,    -   because of the presence of the band connecting the toe to the        heel, it provides improved holding when standing on rocks or        iron-stepped walkways.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment. Variations and modifications would be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art. The invention encompasses such variations andmodifications.

1. A boot for alpine skiing comprising a plastic shell, a rigid support, and a rubber sole fixed to said rigid support which can be removably secured to the shell.
 2. A boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sole is glued to the support.
 3. A boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sole is fixed to the support by overinjection.
 4. A boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sole and the support comprises a toe and a heel joined together by a band. 